From its beginnings in a Christchurch family garage, Macpac has developed into one of the world’s most trusted manufacturers of top quality outdoor equipment and clothing.In 1973, 19-year-old Bruce McIntyre left university after a year of studying psychology, sociology and political science. His vision: Simply to make backpacks that were better and cheaper than what else was available.

“I had no capital of my own, but my parents loaned me $2,000 to buy Charlie McCormick's brand (Macpac) and machinery, and they put up their house as collateral so I could secure a $700 overdraft from the bank.”

Bruce started off with his own designs, and a spirit of collaboration. In 1975 a group of young men from the Canterbury Mountaineering Club (CMC) were heading into the South American Andes on an expedition at the time. According to Bruce, “I said I’d make them all backpacks if they’d work with me on the design.

The pack that emerged from this development was New Zealand’s first internal frame climbing pack – the Torre Egger. Many of its features have since been copied around the world; at the time they were new and innovative.“We had the first bungy cord attached to the packs because one of the guys had said he wanted to attach his crampons to the outside of the pack.”Other “firsts” included the fabric (a precursor to the legendary AzTec® blend that Macpac still stands by, 33 years on), extendable pack lids, and the pack’s ability to double as a bivvy bag (with your sleeping bag inside, it doubled as a shelter).Bruce extended the Torre Egger concept, popular among leading mountaineers, to suit trampers and travellers as well.He also made customer service a priority for the company, as he wanted it to match the quality of the products. By 1978, sales were growing at 100% a year and Macpac couldn’t keep up with demand. Nevertheless, Bruce headed to Australia to set up the company’s first export market. In 1987, export markets in Holland and Switzerland followed. Distribution in Germany and the UK developed soon after.Read More